Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2000 6:22 PM

Cc: weather@wate.com

Subject: WATE-TV

Dear Dave:

Thanks for your email. I'm sorry we don't seem to measure up to your standards. I would like to take this opportunity to respond to your criticism. We do a great deal of what you call "hard hitting journalism" here at WATE-TV. For example later this month we will show people stealing items from a local charity. We will explore both sides of the issue of the upcoming Tennessee death penalty case. We will introduce a four year old who has battled cancer and won. I hope you would agree these are all worthwhile topics of local interest.

As to the Africa series I would submit that we have brought people in East Tennessee stories about people on another continent who have a totally different lifestyle. I would hope it would bring appreciation for the many things we take for granted here in Knoxville.

Of course I respect your right to criticize and make your opinions known. But I do think it's important for you to know that we take our work and our viewers seriously.

Thank you for taking the time to write me.

Sincerely,
Brian Trauring
News Director